International Personal Finance pulls dividend due to Covid-19

Doorstep lender International Personal Finance pulled its proposed annual final dividend payment of 7.8p per share on Wednesday as it said collections had been "significantly adversely affected" by government debt repayment moratoriums at the tail end of March.

IPF said the cancellation of its dividend would save the group £17.3m in cash and was in the "long-term best interests of the business and its stakeholders".

The London-listed company said the decision came as regulators and governments in a number of its markets had implemented, or were considering implementing, temporary consumer lending measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including debt repayment moratoriums and new or lower pricing limits.

IPF said collections in its home credit businesses had also been hit by tighter restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement of individuals. It added that while it remained too early to quantify the potential financial impact of the pandemic on its businesses, it is taking "a number of actions" to protect liquidity through the outbreak.

"Capital expenditure and 2020 salary increases (including those of our executive directors) are being deferred, costs are being reduced, and discretionary expenditure curtailed," said IPF.

"Additionally, in response to reduced collections and in some cases tighter price caps, we have significantly restricted our lending across all of our businesses."

IPF also highlighted its strong balance sheet and headroom on undrawn debt facilities of £203m.

At 0900 BST, IPF shares were down 14.70% to 65p.